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KEVIN HARVICK – Clash Race Report from Daytona

Event: Advance Auto Parts Clash (non-points race)

Series: Monster EnergyNASCAR Cup Series

Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile oval)

Format: 75 laps, broken into two segments of 25 laps and 50 laps

Start/Finish: 7th/5th (Running, completed 75 of 75 laps)

Race Winner: Joey Logano of Team Penske (Ford)

 

SHR Finish:        

  • Danica Patrick (Started 12th, Finished 4th / Running, completed 75 of 75 laps)
  • Kevin Harvick (Started 7th, Finished 5th / Running, completed 75 of 75 laps)
  • Kurt Busch (Started 10th, Finished 17th / Accident, completed 16 of 75 laps)

 

Notes:                   

  • Harvick started seventh and raced as high as second in the opening 25-lap segment.
  • The No. 4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion dropped to the rear after a four-tire stop to close out the first segment.
  • Harvick overcame a loose-handling condition throughout the event.
  • The No. 4 Busch Beer team pitted for four-tires and fuel with 10 laps remaining in the race.
  • Harvick skillfully avoided a multicar accident involving the leaders on the final lap to record a fifth-place finish.
  • This was Harvick’s seventh top-five finish in the Clash. Harvick won the Clash in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
  • Field was comprised of 2016 pole winners, former Clash winners, former Daytona 500 pole winners and 2016 playoff participants.

 

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Busch Beer Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing:

What did you learn today? “The confidence is high just because of how fast our Ford is today. I think once we got the balance and have an idea now of where the balance needs to be, we can get the handling right. Speed is not an issue.”

 

You decided to take four tires at the end of the race. How did that work out for you? “It went really well. For us, we were very fortunate that the race wound up in the day – a lot like the 500 is going to be – just because we didn’t really know what we needed and where our balance was going to be. We were really loose to start the first 25 laps and were able to get that fixed. Speed is not an issue.  Circumstances just needed to work out a little bit differently, but all in all, I’m excited for the week.”

 

Next Up:

Daytona 500 pole qualifying, where Harvick, Patrick, Busch and Clint Bowyer will be among 42 drivers going for the pole for the 59th annual Daytona 500. Qualifying is set to get underway at 3:10 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 19, with live coverage provided by FOX. The Can-Am Duel – twin 150-mile races which will set the rest of the Daytona 500 field – take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 with live coverage on FS1. Speedweeks at Daytona then culminates with the Daytona 500 at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, with live coverage provided by FOX beginning with its pre-race show at 1 p.m.

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